When a festival confidently walks away with the honour of ‘Berlin’s most colourful’, you know you’re in for something special. The Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) started as a political protest against xenophobia way back in 1996 and it has since developed into one of the city’s greatest achievements. ‘Vibrant’ doesn’t even begin to convey the energy and excitement that surrounds the aptly-named Carnival of Cultures.

Kreuzberg is the place to be, Blücherplatz to be precise, as this little corner of Berlin becomes a very genuine capital of the world. Hundreds of thousands of people take part in the four-day extravaganza, where all of the cultures that make Berlin such a special spot come together to make something unforgettable. Music, art, traditions, crafts and food (wonderful, wonderful food) collide in stunning style.

The traditional parade on Pentecost Sunday is the main event. Starting at 12:30 from Yorckstrasse and Großbeerenstrasse, around 4,000 revellers will snake their way across the city in one massive display of charm, with all the entertainment one could possibly get found along the way. Put bluntly, it is one of the great Berlin experiences.

The 2019 Karnaval der Kulturen kicks off at 16:00 on June 7 (Friday), with the festival winding down at 19:00 on the following Monday (June 10). Berlin’s diversity is one of its great strengths, and the Carnival of Cultures is a fantastic expression of this.

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